“Salinger” Explores a Secret Life

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by Kellie May on

American Masters, which launched in 1986, has a long history of profiling some of the world’s biggest names. In fact, in the 28 seasons of the show, American Masters has earned 26 Emmy Awards, 12 Peabodys, an Oscar, three Grammys, two Producers Guild Awards and many other honors.

Now American Masters is reaching another milestone – its 200th episode! In honor of this special occasion, the producers are bringing us a special on one of America’s most elusive authors: J.D. Salinger.

American Masters: Salinger, a two-and-a-half hour program, will air from 9pm to 11:30pm Tuesday, Jan. 21, on CET and ThinkTV16.

According to a press release about this show, the PBS version of Salinger will include 15 minutes of new material not seen in theaters. Featuring many never-before-seen photographs, personal stories and moments from J.D. Salinger’s life and harrowing service in World War II, Director Shane Salerno’s documentary is an intimate portrait of the enigmatic author of Catcher in the Rye.

“Adding J.D. Salinger to the American Masters library as the 200th episode is a perfect reflection of the series’ mission: to illuminate the lives and creative journeys of America’s most enduring artistic and cultural giants for the public — no matter how elusive,” Stephen Segaller, vice president of programming for WNET, said in a press release. “The film is almost overpowering: highly cinematic, highly dramatic, and packed with research discoveries worthy of the best painstaking investigative journalism. We get to know Salinger, his life and his work to an unparalleled degree.”

Here’s a preview:

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